Boehner chief of staff Paula Nowakowski dead of apparent heart attack

President
Barack Obama called Minority Leader John Boehner on Sunday to offer
condolences for the death of Boehner’s longtime aide, Paula Nowakowski,
according to aides familiar with the situation.

Devastated,
Boehner announced earlier in the day that his 46-year-old “longtime
chief of staff, trusted aide and friend” died on Saturday night.

Leadership aides tell The Hill that the Michigan native died unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack.

“We
will remember Paula as she would want to be remembered -- as a tireless
worker, faithful friend, rabid Detroit sports fan, whip-smart
strategist, warrior for freedom, and devoted Catholic who counted
President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II among her greatest
heroes. She will never be replaced, or forgotten,” Boehner said in a
statement issued shortly after noon on Sunday.

Boehner’s close
circle of aides who have worked with the leader since his early years
in the House were stunned to learn of Nowakowski’s death.

“Words
cannot adequately express the sorrow and disbelief I and every member
of our team are grappling with today in the wake of this stunning
news,” Boehner said of his powerful staffer, well-regarded by Democrats
and Republicans for her ability to be fair and fervent love of the
House of Representatives.

Those sentiments were echoed by the
Democratic Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), in a statement
issued on behalf of the “entire Capitol Hill community.”

“As
Chief of Staff to Republican Leader John Boehner, Paula earned the
respect not only of her Leadership and Conference, but all House
Members on both sides of the aisle. Paula was a thorough professional
who loved the House and worked in a constructive and bipartisan fashion
to implement policies to help the Congress function efficiently,"
Pelosi said.

"Paula
had some of the finest qualities a public servant can have: she was
committed to advancing the cause of freedom, she cared deeply about the
people she served, and she was a patriot. On behalf of her
Senate colleagues, I pass on my condolences to her family, Leader
Boehner and his staff, and the whole House family for this tragic loss
of our friend."

Nowakowski, a well-heeled GOP operative, started
working with Boehner in 1995, after the House Republicans regained
control of Congress for the first time in 40 years.

Boehner spokesman Kevin Smith said that the office would send out details on a memorial for Nowakowski as they become available.